Foldable table



M. T. ULRICH FOLDABLE TABLE June 11, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001.. 5, 1966 INVENTOR. MARTIN T. ULRICH TORNEYS M. T. ULRICH FOLDABLE TABLE June 11, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1966 INVENTOR. MARTIN T. ULRICH ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,387,572 FOLDABLE TABLE Martin T. Ulrich, Sunnyvale, Calif. (2785 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, Calif. 95950) Filed Oct. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 584,456 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-34) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A foldable table is described which includes a table top formed from a plurality of adjacent slat members which are hingedly interconnected so that the table top can be coiled or extended into a substantially flat planer condition. Two leg units are pivotally secured to the underneath surface of the table top at diagonally opposite corners. Each of the leg units comprises a housing member which has two legs pivotally secured adjacent opposite ends thereof for pivotal movement between an inoperative position housed within the housing member and a table supporting position perpendicularly extended therefrom. Each of the housing members is pivotable along the underneath surface of the table top between a position parallel to the slat members so that the table top is coilable about them to provide a compact bundle and a position transverse to the slot members where the housing members act as structurally strong frame members supporting the table top in a flat condition. When the housing members are transverse to the slat members as aforesaid, the legs may be extended from such housing members into the table supporting position.

This invention relates to a foldable table and, more particularly to a foldable table of the roll-top type which is of a single component construction and yet can be simply folded into a compact portable bundle when not in use.

Tables are now available in which the table top is made up of a plurality of parallel, adjacent slat members which are hingedly connected together so that the table top can be both extended into a flat, operative table top position, and coiled into a bundle for storage and portability. For an example of such a table, reference is made to US. Patent No. 2,638,394 issued on May 12, 1953, to Martin T. Ulrich, the inventor of the instant invention.

Most tables of this type are similar to the one described in such patent in that they comprise at least two components. That is, the legs usually must be dismantled from the table top in order to permit the table top to be coiled and the table thereby folded or collapsed. The d sadvantages of a foldable table being made up of several separate components or pieces should be readily apparent. For example, when the table comprises more than one component, the components may become separated from one another when the table is stored or moved in its dismantled condition. Then in order to erect the table, a search for the various components must be made. If a component of the table is forgotten when the table is transported for use at a remote location, such as in the country or on the beach, the usefulness of the table is completely negated because of the missing part. The desirability of having single component table should consequently be manifest.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a foldable table of the roll-top type which is of a single component construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a single component roll-top type table which is easily erectable into its operative condition and collapsible into its inoperative compact bundle condition.

3,37,572 Patented June ll, 1968 A further object of the invention is to provide such a single component roll-top type table which has a rigid frame structure when it is in the erected position to provide a stable and strong support for the table top.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a roll-top type table of a single component construction which has simply operated and easily releasable means for effectively locking the table in its erected position.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to such drawings, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the table of the invention in its fully erected condition, looking toward the underneath surface of the table top;

FIGURE 2 is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the table of the invention of FIGURE 1, showing it in its fully collapsed, compact bundle condition;

FIGURE 3 is a third perspective view on a reduce scale of the table of FIGURE 1 showing it in its fully erected position with portions of the legs broken away and viewing the upper surface of the table top;

FIGURE 4 and 5 are plan views of the table looking toward the underneath surface of the table top and showing the table in successive stages of erection;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of one end of one of the leg units of the table of the invention taken on a plane indicated by the line 66 of FIGURE 4, with the leg unit being broken away to depict the pivoted securance thereof to the table top;

FIGURE 7 is another enlarged partial perspective view which depicts the manner in which the leg units of the table are secure'able to the table top to maintain it in a planar condition when the table is erected;

FIGURE 8 is another partial perspective view taken on a plane indicated by the line 88 of FIGURE 5 depicting the manner in which the support struts secure the two leg units together to provide a rigid frame structure for the table top when the table is in its erected position; 'and FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view of a simple looking means by which the struts can be secured between the two leg units to form the rigid frame structure, such figure being taken generally on a plane indicated by the line 99 of FIGURE 8 but with the strut and leg in the locked together position.

In its basic aspects, the preferred embodiment of the table, generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral 11 includes a table top 12 and leg means 13 pivotally secured thereto. Table top 12 is comprised of a plurality of adjacent slat members 14- which are hingedly interconnected so that such table top can be extended into a substantially flat planar condition as shown in FIGURE 2. Leg means 13 is pivotal with respect to the table top along the underneath surface between a position in which such leg means are parallel with the slats l4 and a position in which they are trans verse to such slats. With the leg means parallel to the slats, the table can be rolled-up into a coiled bundle, while when such leg means are transverse to the slats, the table top is maintained by the leg means in a fiat, operative condition. Thus, even though these leg means are secured to the table top to provide a table which is of a single component construction, the leg means permits the table to be rolled up into the compact bundle shown in FIGURE 2.

Desirably, the leg means includes two leg units 16 and 17, each of which is pivotally secured adjacent one of its ends to a corner portion of the underneath surface of the table top. As best depicted in FIGURES l and 5, each leg unit 16 and 17 has a strut member if; and 19, respectively, pivotally secured thereto for movement into locked engagement with the other leg unit when the table is being erected to thereby provide with the leg units a quadrilateral frame structure for supporting the table top. This quadrilateral frame structure assures that a structurally strong and rigid support for the table top is obtained even though the table is collapsible into a compact bundle. Two legs 22, preferably of the so-called cardtable type, are provided as a part of each leg unit and are movcable between an enclosed position within the leg units and the extended, table supporting position shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

Considering now the table of the invention in more detail, the slats 13 are desirably of a hard wood such as of oak although they may also be constructed of some other suitable material as a metal or plastic. While "any suitable means could be provided for hingedly interconnecting such slats, it is preferred that a link chain arrangement made up of links of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,033,284 issued on May 8,. 1962, to Martin T. Ulrich, the instant inventor, be utilized for this purpose. Three link chains of this type are shown, one of which, denoted by reference numeral 23, extends transversely of the slats at their midpoint and two of which, denoted by reference numeral 24, join the slats adjacent their ends. As described in the aforementioned patent, this type of link chain provides a secure attachment of adjacent slats to one another, and yet will not be observable from the upper surface of the table top when it is in its planar position.

Each of the leg units 16 and 17 includes an elongated housing member 26 and 27, respectively, each of which is also desirably of a hard wood such as oak but may be of some other suitable material. As best shown in FIG- URE 6, each housing member is pivotally secured adjacent one of its ends to one of the table top slat members 13 near a corner of the table. As shown, this pivotal connection is by means of a rivet 28 which is countersunk in the table top and extends therethrough and through the housing member. Desirably, the housing members 26 and 27 are pivotally secured at diagonally opposite corners of the table so that when such housing members are parallel with the slats 13, one of the hous ing members is adjacent one edge of the table while the other is adjacent the opposite edge. To coil a table of such construction into the compact bundle shown in FIG- URE 2, the two ends of the table top having the housing members are coiled inwardly toward the center of the table.

The housing members 26 and 27 are hollowed out for a major portion of their length between their ends to form a cavity or channel 31 in each. Channels 31 are adapted to receive the table legs 22 when they are in an inoperative position. More particularly, each of the legs 22 is secured at one end of its associated housing member by a pin 32 for pivotal movement between a position in which it is nested within the channel 31 and a position in which it extends perpendicularly from the housing member to support the table. The mechanism for permitting this pivotal movement of each of the legs 22 and for maintaining the legs in rigid relationship perpendicular to their associated housing members is generally the same as that mechanism used for such purpose on common folding card tables. Linkage 33 comprising two links secure the housing members 26 and 27 to each of their legs at a point spaced from the pivotal securance of each leg to its housing member. When a leg extends perpendicularly away from its housing member, i.e., when it is in its table supporting position, the links of the linkage 32 are aligned and act to hold the leg in such position. To assure that each leg is rigid with respect to the table when it is in its extended position, a link 34 is also provided connecting each leg to its housing member on the side of such leg opposite that on which the linkage 32 is secured.

As mentioned before, each of the leg units 26 and 27 includes a strut member 18 and 19, respectively, which is adapted to extend between such leg units and form a rigid frame structure for the table top when the table is in its operative position. Each strut is pivotally secured by a pin 35 between two cars 36 of a bracket 37 which is secured adjacent one end of the associated housing member. The struts are pivotal between a position in which they are aligned and contiguous with their associated housing members and a position in which they extend perpendicularly between the two housing members. The free end of each strut is provided with a latching mechanism for locking it in position between the housing members. More particularly, a rectangular sleeve 38 is secured to the free end of each strut and projects in alignment therefrom. The free end of sleeve 38 is open and each side wall thereof includes a reentrant portion forming aligned recesses 39 adapted to receive a pin. A catch member 41 slideably fits within the sleeve member and includes prongs 42 adapted to fit about and lock a pin in such recesses. A compression spring 43 normally urges the catch member into such pin locking position, and a tab 44 on the catch member extends through a slot 46 in the sleeve to permit gripping for slideable movement of the catch member against the force of the spring to release the pin. Shoulders 47 extend inwardly into the slot from the edge thereof to act as stops to prevent spring 43 from forcing the catch member out the open end of sleeve 38.

To complete the mechanism for locking the struts between the housing members, a bracket 48 is secured to the end of each housing member opposite that to which the strut is pivotally connected. Each bracket 48 includes protruding cars 49 between which is secured a pin 51. These brackets are so located that the latch mechanism of the strut member associated with the other leg unit will engage and lock to the pin 51 to form the rectangular frame structure for the table top. The leading edges 52 of the catch member prongs 42 are cammed so that when they are engaged by the pin 51, the pin will force the catch member rearwardly against the pressure of spring 43 a sufiicient distance to allow the pin to enter the recesses 39 and be locked therein by the catch member.

The ease with which the table of the invention can be erected or collapsed will be readily recognized from the following description. To erect the table from the bundle condition shown in FIGURE 2, the bundle is first unrolled to provide the table top in a substantially planar condition. Then one of the leg units is pivoted a small distance in a direction away from the table, such as to the position shown in FIGURE 4 in phantom for leg unit 27, and the other leg unit is arcuately pivoted along the underneath surface of the table to a position beyond the position which it takes when the table is in the erected condition. This position is indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 4 representing a position for leg unit 26. The other leg unit, leg 27, can then be pivoted over the underneath surface of the table top into its table supporting position parallel with the lower edge of the table top as viewed in FIGURE 5. A clip 52 (FIGURES 4 and 7) secured to the underneath surface of the table is adapted to engage within a complementary slot 53 on the leg unit to maintain it in such position. After the leg unit 27 is thus properly positioned, the leg unit 26 can also be properly positioned along the upper edge of the table unit as also viewed in FIGURE 5. A similar clip and slot arrangement is also provided to lock leg unit 26 at its proper position.

To complete the frame structure for the table top, th free ends of the strut members 18 and 19 can be pivoted away from the leg unit to which they are secured and into locking engagement with the pin 51 of the bracket 4-8 on the other leg unit. This step in the erecting process is depicted in FIGURE 5. At this stage of the erection process, a rigid, braced frame structure is provided for the table top. It is to be noted that the heavier members of the frame structure, i.e., the housing members 26 and 27, extend transversely of the slat members and are therefore instrumental in maintaining the table top in a substantially flat condition and the struts 18 and 19 hold them in proper position. To complete the erection of the table, the legs 22 can simply be folded out of the channels 31 and into their operative position, and the table set up upon such legs.

To collapse the table of the invention into a compact bundle for storage, portage or the like, the above steps are simply reversed.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable table comprising a plurality of parallel adjacent slat members hingedly interconnected to form a table top which is changeable between a substantially flat condition and a coiled bundle condition, and let means secured to the underneath surface of said table top for supporting same when said table top is in said flat condition, said leg means being pivotal along the underneath surface of said table top between a position parallel to said slat members whereat said table top is coilable and a position transverse to said slat members whereat said leg means maintain said table top in said flat condition, said leg means comprising two leg units which are pivotally secured to the underneath surface of said table top at diagonally opposite locations for movement between said positions and each of which comprises a housing member having table supporting legs adapted to be housed therewithin in an inoperative position and extended therefrom into a table supporting position when said leg units are transverse to said slat members, each of said housing members having a strut pivotally mounted by one of its ends to the exterior of said housing members adjacent an end thereof for pivotal movement into engagement with the other of said leg units when said leg units are transverse to said slat members and are maintaining said table top in fiat condition, said struts being pivotally secured at opposite points on said housing members so that when each of said struts are in engagement with the other of said housing members as aforesaid they and said housing members provide a quadrilateral supporting frame structure for said table top.

2. A foldable table comprising a plurality of parallel adjacent slat members hingedly interconnected to form a table top which is changeable between a substantially fiat condition and a coiled bundle condition, two leg units pivotally secured to the underneath surface of said table top at diagonally opposite locations and adapted for supporting said table top when the same is in said flat condition, each of said leg units comprising a housing member having two table supporting legs pivotally secured adjacent opposite ends thereof for pivotal movement between an inoperative position housed within said housing member and a table supporting position perpendicularly extended therefrom, each of said housing members being pivotable along the underneath surface of said table top between a position parallel to said slat members whereat said table top is coilable and a position transverse to said slat members whereat said housing members act as structurally strong frame members supporting said table top in said flat condition, and means for selectively maintaining said housing members in said position transverse to said slat members.

3. The foldable table of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively maintaining each of said housing members transverse to said slat members includes for each of said housing members a clip secured to the underneath surface of the table adapted to engage within a complementary slot on the housing member when said housing member is in said transverse position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,824,981 9/1931 Brown 10835 2,023,870 12/1935 Casott 108-34 2,638,394 5/1953 Ulrich 10834 2,878,086 3/1959 Voloshin 108-35 3,074,770 1/1963 Joos 10835 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner.

GLENN O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner, 

